Objective
The aim of the project is to investigate advanced aluminium matrix composites, obtained via the prepreg route, for applications in aerospace structures (C/Al) and heat engines (SiC/Al). The programme envisages four steps: Prepreg-processing, C (HM or UHM) Al and SiC (NICALON-type/Al). Characterization of the prepregs. Composite processing. Characterization of the composites.
For a unidirectional laminate, one of the newly developed composites, FT700/Al, had: the best mechanical properties; the best tensile strength of about 600MPa; a fibre volume fraction of about 45%; a Young's Modulus of 270GPa; a transverse strength of 30MPa; and a density of about 2.3a/cm{3}.